Job Details

UTSI Senior Financial Associate
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Position Number: 6042254
Location: Chattanooga, TN
Position Type: Business - Finance

UTSI Senior Financial Associate
Tullahoma, TN, United States

Job Identification: 1863
Job Category: Financial
Posting Date: 02/28/2025
Job Schedule: Full Time
Locations: 411 B. H. Goethert Parkway, Tullahoma, TN, 37388, US 411 B. H. Goethert Parkway, Tullahoma, TN, 37388, US (On-site)

Job Description
Senior Financial Associate - Finance & Administration
University of Tennessee Space Institute (UTSI)

The University of Tennessee Space Institute (UTSI) is seeking a Senior Financial Associate to oversee and administer fiscal, administrative, and data management responsibilities within the academic departments. This role plays a critical part in ensuring compliance with financial policies, research grants, and HR procedures while providing direction and assistance to faculty and staff. The successful candidate will manage financial transactions, reconciliations, reporting, and post-award grant administration while supporting overall departmental operations.

Responsibilities
Transactional and Funds Management (30%)

Review and process accounting and personnel transactions in IRIS, ensuring compliance with UT fiscal policies and Uniform Guidance.
Validate and reconcile departmental monthly account ledgers, including research and gift accounts.
Process cost transfers, payroll allocations, and internal transactions.
Assist Principal Investigators (PIs) in ensuring compliance with agency guidelines for research funding.
Provide financial analysis, reporting, and recommendations to faculty and business managers.

Travel Coordination for Faculty & Students (20%)

Prepare travel estimates and obtain approvals for official university travel.
Process conference registrations, airfare, and lodging bookings using Concur Travel.
Audit and process expense reimbursements, prepayments, guest travel, and travel advances.

Financial Analysis & Reporting (25%)

Generate financial reports for faculty, graduate students, and department leadership.
Assist with budget forecasting, grant tracking, and financial projections for research proposals.
Conduct data analysis for sponsored projects, compliance monitoring, and financial planning.

Payroll & Effort Management (15%)

Oversee effort certification processes and ensure faculty compliance with NIH salary caps, NSF payroll restrictions, and 9-month/12-month faculty calculations.
Monitor payroll allocations for sponsored projects and ensure correct fund usage.
Process additional work payments, service awards, and payroll adjustments as needed.

Administrative & Event Support (10%)

Maintain departmental financial records and retention schedules.
Assist with faculty and student support services.
Coordinate seminars, guest speakers, and departmental events.

Qualifications
Required:

Associate's degree in accounting, business, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
At least five years of office experience in an accounting or financial role.
Strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and ability to work independently.
Knowledge of accounting principles and financial reconciliations.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook, and Teams).

Preferred:

Bachelor's degree in Business, Accounting, or Human Resources.
Experience in post-award grant management and higher education finance.
Familiarity with UT financial systems (IRIS, SAP), Banner, and Concur Travel.
Knowledge of UT policies, Uniform Guidance, and sponsored project accounting.

About Us
With over 225 years dedicated to education and research, and as one of the 100 largest employers in Tennessee, there is endless potential to discover at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. This advanced academic center comprises 17 degree-granting colleges and schools, 900+ programs of study, 547 graduate programs, and is home to over 7,500 employees statewide who support the continued growth of the state's flagship land-grant university. The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, Anthropological Research Facility, Space Institute, and the UT Institute of Public Service are acclaimed entities of the UT system and with nearby affiliate, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Rocky Top is a university on the rise. UT Knoxville considers its employees its number one asset and with values that focus on work-life balance, compensation, and innovative leadership, all Vols are supported to advance professionally. Employees have access to career development and coaching, continued education, and an extensive list of development and training possibilities. The Volunteer employee experience implements structures and practices that attract and retain a diverse community and that support a culture where everyone matters and belongs. Apply today and join the Vol Family for life!
Ranked nationally as "Best Employer for New Graduates", "One of America's Best Large Employers", "Best Workplace for Women," and has been designated as "Best Place for Working Parents" by Forbes Magazine.

To apply, visit https://fa-ewlq-saasfaprod1.fa.ocs.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1/job/1863/?mode=location